By Bob Heist - Pensacola News Journal

The story of a special relationship between an NFL superstar and his substitute teacher in high school dates back to the mid-1980s. But its most poignant moment came on Nov. 25, 2006.

Among all the presents and keepsakes Leila James received the night when her 50th wedding anniversary to her husband Bill was celebrated at Crosswinds conference center on Corry Station, one was hard to miss — an autographed invitation to the event from Emmitt Smith congratulating the couple.

"I wouldn't sell that for any amount of money," said Leila, 72, from the home she and Bill share on Willow Street. "That one is special."

But so is this unique relationship that began in 1985 when James was a substitute teacher at Escambia High School and Emmitt, then in his junior year, was well on his way to becoming the Florida High School Sports Association's Player of the Century for football.

"Just a beautiful young man," James said.

'Hello, Skittles'

During a conversation with James, words such as "committed" and "polite" and "studious" are used in describing what has turned out to be Pensacola's premier prep athlete.

But there are funny moments, too.

"For some reason, I never did figure this out, (Emmitt) and some of his buddies — I was subbing in the library that day — and they called me Skittles. 'Hello, Skittles, how you doing today?' I never could figure that out.

"But Emmitt was just as polite as he could be. He was very respectful of all the other students, too. Even though he was a very important person, especially in the 11th and 12th grade, he never let it go to his head. I always admired that about him."

James also remembered subbing for a history class while Emmitt — who certainly knew his way through a playbook — struggled with a textbook assignment.

"He was not afraid to ask questions, that Emmitt," James laughed. "One day, I had history and the assignment was to find particular facts in the book. Emmitt wasn't having much luck, so he approached me ..."

Explaining how Smith — who stood at her desk bumping the eraser head of a pencil against the side of his head in a show of confusion — said he couldn't find the information, James remembered telling the future all-time NFL career rushing leader, "Emmitt, that's what the glossary is for in the back of the book.

"A few minutes later back at his desk, he raised his hand like he always did and shouted, 'Miss James, I found it!' What a character."

Special Valentine's Day

Describing Emmitt as "not an A student everytime, but he made the honor roll several times," James said his legacy obviously remains football at Escambia High. But there was much more to him.

She remembered one time Emmitt asking to get a friend out of another class to have a private conversation because he was going down a wrong path. Or the time he came back while at the University of Florida to speak to the school about staying away from drugs. "His words meant a lot," James said. "Those students scrambled to get in there and get a good seat."

She remembered hours upon hours of watching Emmitt and the nationally ranked Gators practice and him coming back nearly 20 years later to aid in the relief efforts following Hurricane Ivan.

And, of course, there was Valentine's Day in 1987, during Emmitt's senior year.

"I got him out of class to take a picture of both of us on Valentine's Day in front of the heart (in the school lobby)," James said. "He was in a class, English class I think, that day, so I went in and asked Mrs. Bencha, 'Muff' Bencha, if I could borrow Emmitt for a second and we went up and got our picture taken.

"I think I'll hold on to that one for a while, too."

Remembers roots

James' daughter, Marilyn, was the one that contacted Emmitt about autographing the 50th wedding anniversary invitation for her parents. She had heard the stories about him and watched for years as her mother collected anything with her favorite student's picture — including Wheaties boxes prominently displayed in the house to this day.

In Marilyn's opinion, true student-teacher relationships never fade. This was one that didn't. Emmitt even included an autographed action photo during his days with the Dallas Cowboys.

"I was amazed, to be honest," she said. "It shows he still has roots here. It shows he's still respectful to people and remembers and cares about those from his past. I think that's something very special about him."

"I sent him a thank-you note," Marilyn added. "I'll never forget him doing that and caring enough to do that for my mother."

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